What Tomorrow May Bring

by Tony Bertauski

  “Yes, what’s that?” I ask.

  “I strongly recommend you don’t mention our conversation to anyone—especially Blake. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to guarantee the safety of Jared or of Blake if you were to discuss these highly private matters,” he says. “And I will know if you do no matter where the conversation occurs. Understand?”

  “I understand.” Jared and Blake die if I warn Blake. And Blake’s and my canyon time has never been just “ours.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  Ethan

  Earlier that evening, prior to the festival

  “You locked me up like a caged animal. No, I’m not going to forgive you,” I tell my father. After spending my childhood as Heart Defect Poster Boy in a room-shaped bubble, I vowed never to allow myself to be confined again.

  “Given the circumstances, it was quite necessary. And, I locked you up with the girl, so what’s the problem?”

  “She went back to him,” I say, more to myself than to my father. “All because she thinks I love someone else. And I can’t tell her otherwise since I haven’t been given the go ahead to freely pursue her.” I’ve been going crazy the last few nights. I kissed Kira, and she responded with enthusiasm. It felt different from the passionate, lust-filled embraces we’d shared back in San Diego. There was no “audience” (e.g. Jared) to impress or cover to support. No, this was so personal, intimate, and full of love. Dropping her back with Blake and seeing her reaction to him…heartbreaking.

  My father puts a hand on each of my shoulders and looks me squarely in the eye. “Forget about her. She and the boy are liabilities and as good as dead. We have what we need from them. Anything more is too risky.” My heart beats erratically and vision blurs. “Dead” and “Liability” are not acceptable descriptors for the woman I have fallen so deeply for.

  I pinch the bridge of my nose and take a deep breath. Contemplating making a deal with the devil brings on sharp sinus pains. “I’ll do anything to keep her alive. I won’t fight you any more on your plans for me. Just don’t have her killed. Please. Blake either. She cares about him.” I can’t bring myself to say or admit she loves him, even though I can tell she does.

  “You’re more of a sap than I thought. Fine. I’ll protect the girl. In return for your ‘cooperation’ in our plans for you. I cannot, however, guarantee she ends up with you. And you are not, under any circumstances, to share anything with her that would put me, your mother, the rest of the Ten, or the Grand Council at risk, including the events of your childhood. Understood?”

  A small price to pay to keep her alive. And besides, I can feign my compliance and enthusiasm. At least I hope I can. “Understood. And Blake?”

  “I’ll do my best. He’s not exactly a friend to the Ten.” This, I’m well aware of thanks to Jax, but I don’t let my father know it. “He may be able to be…persuaded…to come around.”

  “How?” I ask.

  “You leave that to me. In the meantime, I’m going to arrange for you to shadow some Council and Ten members for the remainder of your Internship to further your education and help prepare you to take your rightful place in the affairs of the SCI. Henry’s arranged for you to work on his campaign during the school year as well.”

  I groan. So much for free time to visit Kira. He sneers. “If it’s a problem, we could annul our agreement.”

  I’m quick to respond. “It’s fine. I’ll do what’s required to keep Kira safe.” Why do I get the feeling I’ve been manipulated? I have to wonder if he threatened Kira’s life solely to gain my cooperation.

  “Excellent,” my father says with a wicked grin. “I’ve got to leave for the Festival, as do you. It’s going to be an exciting night for Thera.”

  “I’ll never find her in this crowd. It’s a regular clone-fest,” I complain to Jax. Seeing Jax in Festival attire is jarring. He rarely wears color. Lots of heads turn our way as we push through the hordes of people here to celebrate the messed up institution of Cleaving.

  “That’s why you have me with you.” Jax brags. “I’ve got my Kiradar on since she has just entered the premises with one very suspicious-looking Blake Sundry.” Would it be too much to ask for Blake to make himself scarce for a bit?

  “Well, then, by all means. Lead the way,” I say, eager to find her. It feels like an eternity since I’ve seen her. Jax takes his time meandering, our progress slowed by Council members and other acquaintances who want to exchange small talk.

  My father is on the podium driveling on about the Originals. I’m only marginally paying attention, but then he introduces “Garden City’s newest Cleaved couples” and my head snaps up. Kira better not be up there.

  “Kira remains as virginal and nearly as pure as when you last saw her.” I clench my fists, ready to mar Jax’s pretty face when he adds, “Fascinating. Forty newly Cleaved couples. And they are all pregnant. That’s a lot of babies. Magical, don’t you think?” That would be Jax double-speak for “I’ve got information that you don’t.”

  “What do you know?”

  “I know the tide’s a’changing, and this is history in the making, and the Ten’s playing with fire,” he says without answering my question. Typical.

  “Why must you always speak in riddles?”

  “To keep your brain from atrophying.” He chuckles. “Looks like your love interest is a little shocked by the news.” He points to a crowd twenty feet away, and I immediately see her. She’s a vision—the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Her hair, in perfect ringlets, cascades down her back. The Festival dress clings to her curves. She looks to be deep in thought and has a slight scowl directed at my father.

  “Wow,” I say.

  I glance at Jax and notice him salivating at Kira. When his eyes darken with lust, and he licks his lips, I re-clench my fists, and prepare for a fight. But then he slaps his hand on my back. “I’m not fighting you, Ethan, despite the fact she’s breathtaking. Positively glowing. And alone. Chop, chop. No time to waste. Get over there.”

  “Want to meet her?” I say without thinking and then mentally berate myself.

  “In due time. But not tonight. I have business to attend to. Enjoy your evening. And the girl…while you can.” He winks at me. When I scowl at him, he adds, “Blake will be back for her eventually.”

  I waste no time and leave Jax behind. Has she even thought about me? Will she be excited to see me? Has she missed me a fraction as much as I’ve missed her? I tap on her shoulder.

  She turns around. “Ethan,” she says as she embraces me and lands a huge kiss on my cheek. I flush red as she holds on, staring at my lips with such desire that I’m tempted to pack her over my shoulder and back to my house. “I was hoping I’d see you tonight. You haven’t come by even once. I’ve been going through major withdrawal.”

  Oh, Kira. Me, too. Me, too.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Blake

  The moment I see the Ten all on stage, I know I’ll never have a better opportunity to explore SCI Headquarters. I hoped this would be the case. Although I don’t want to support my father’s plans, I figure I may be able to find something to help Doc Daryn. And, if my dad and his men do need to escape and I can figure out how to turn off the Eco barrier, I’m saving lives. Lives spared, even if they are Militant lives, is still a good thing. Avoiding the situation altogether would be even better. Doc promised me that he’d continue to work on my father and see if they can come to an agreement that will stall or avoid the invasion.

  I tell Kira I need to use the restroom and slip my watch in her dress pocket so I can’t be tracked. She’ll assume I got lost in the crowd when I don’t return quickly—unless she notices the watch. Then I’ll have a lot of explaining to do because she wouldn’t agree with my choice. All of the sudden, she’s pro-subservience and anti-rebellion. Seeing her parents executed really did a number on her. The Ten have convinced her that she’s responsible, and that if she deviates from strict obedience to the Canon ever so slightly they�
�ll put a bullet in Jared’s brain.

  As I wind through the crowd, I notice that although all the security personnel are wearing the standard issue Cleaving Festival attire, they are also wearing hats. I hunt for the right situation and then “accidentally” push a large woman into one of the security guys. They both topple over, sending the guard’s hat flying. While the guard is busy helping the woman return to her feet, I snag his hat and tuck it into my shirt.

  Because booths circle the plaza, with only one entry from the train station, I have to exit through a booth to get to Headquarters. I don my new hat and explain to a nice lady offering fried chicken samples that I’ve been dispatched to check the perimeter. She sends me with some chicken to go. I thank her for the service she’s rendering by providing food for the festivities, and I’m on my way, discarding the chicken into a trash bin in front of Headquarters.

  I’m surprised I don’t encounter anyone as I enter Headquarters. Not a single soul. How could they possibly leave the entire building unattended? I don’t waste time to analyze the situation as the security guards could return at any moment, but I do take a second to look up in awe as I walk into the center court of the building. Six stories high and made entirely of intricate glass mosaic, the dome-topped atrium depicts the loveliest garden I’ve ever seen. A circular staircase rings the outside of it and shines lights through the glass to create a spectacular three-dimensional kaleidoscope feel. It’s the most stunning thing I’ve ever seen in my life, and I have a sudden desire to go get Kira and show her, but I suppress it. That will have to wait for another time.

  Instead, I locate the fully enclosed back staircase and start to climb. Ted’s instructions prove accurate, and I head to the first target room on the third floor. I keep my face shielded by the hat in case any cameras are recording my visit.

  The first room has banks of servers but no computer to access them from and no switches other than to control the lights. So, I head for the second room Ted suggested on the fourth floor. This one appears to be a boardroom of sorts and has lots of monitors and cords to connect to tablets but nothing else of interest. I’m starting to worry Ted sent me on a wild goose chase.

  Room three is smack dab center of the sixth floor, and I find both a computer and a host of control panels. Jackpot. This appears to be the main control center for the city. There are panels to adjust the solar panels, monitor the city’s water reserve, and track incoming cargo ships. Pretty cool. The Exilers—from either faction—would love access to this room.

  One control panel is labeled “EB” and appears to be a good bet. An LCD screen sits atop the panel and shows a ring the shape of the Eco barrier with dotted lights, likely representing the current pattern of the detonators. Perfect. Unfortunately, I have no idea if switching it off will trigger alarms or will switch it off permanently. So I turn to the computer and enter the password GCM47CoCL10 that Ted gave me hoping to find more information.

  With a bit of hunting I find a manual for the Eco barrier. Apparently, the switch only disables the barrier for ten minutes. To disable for longer—in whole or in part for maintenance work—an additional switch must be enabled from one of the Ten’s tablets. Worse, to prevent someone being able to steal the password and deactivate the barrier from their own tablets, the Ten must memorize a twenty-digit code to enter into the Eco barrier program on their tablet. Man, I thought the password Ted gave me was bad. I hope ten minutes will be enough time for my dad and the other Exilers to cross, because I have little hope of getting one of those tablets or the code.

  The other thing I run across while hunting for the manual is a master calendar of upcoming activities at Headquarters. One particular event catches my eye: Theran City Heads Meeting. It’s scheduled over a two-night period—three nights prior to my dad’s planned attack on the city. I have to get my dad that information. The Exilers could deliver a definitive blow to not only Garden City’s government structure, but also every city’s structure, if they were to capture and imprison the heads of every city. A list of attendees who’ve accepted an invitation to the meeting may also be useful to my father, so I commit the names to memory, noting whether they are from Garden City or elsewhere.

  I logoff the computer, glance around the room to make sure I’ve returned everything to the state I found it in, and depart. As I approach the stairs, however, I hear the familiar whir of the elevator shaft. Crap, I took too long, and folks are returning. I duck into the back staircase and jog down the stairs, being careful to stay light on my feet and to check for anyone entering or exiting the staircase. But the coast is clear, and I’m able to get down to the basement. My dad had the layout all wrong. I don’t have to hunt for trap doors or climb up storage room shelves. There’s a simple exit to the tunnels.

  Of course, I have no clue where to go once in the tunnels. My hope is that the majority of Garden City inhabitants are still partying at the Festival, and that, if I go farther than a hundred yards in any direction, I’ll be in the clear. So I pick a path and run quickly but carefully, just as I had in the coal mine tunnels. At my current pace, I should hit a quarter mile in two minutes. I count it out and once past my mental quarter mile mark, I look for an exit. About ninety seconds later, I see a small ladder. I scale it and find a trap door at the top, which opens using the passkey Ted gave me.

  Here goes nothing. I push up and peer out. All I see is hanging Garden City attire, and not just any attire—Grand Council attire. If caught, I’m dead. They won’t even bother Exiling me. On the other hand, it is likely the resident is still at the Festival. I listen for any sounds in the home but hear nothing, and so I decide to go for it.

  A minute later, I’m out the front door and down the home’s ramp. I recognize the street from the Garden City model. This street is the only street with residences built atop the canyon and close to the city center. If I follow the road towards town, I should hit the plaza. I jog down, staying clear of the street lamps, until the backs of the booths and large screens come into view.

  And that’s when I hear an announcement that makes my hair stand on end. I recognize the speaker as Brad Darcton, and he’s spinning a tale about barbarian Exilers planning to mount attacks on the city. He claims that hordes of blood hungry savages stand waiting to kill women and children to get Garden City’s resources. They’ve already attempted to infiltrate the Eco barrier on numerous occasions and have attacked incoming ships, executed the sailors, and stolen supplies meant for the city’s residents.

  Well, despite hating the message and the Ten’s manipulation of the general public, Brad has given me the perfect opportunity to enter the Festival again unnoticed because I guarantee everyone is focused on that stage, awaiting his next riveting words. So, I duck into the bathrooms to wipe the sweat from my face and ditch the security cap. When I come out, I add my shock and dismay at the gall of the evil Exilers to the crowd’s.

  Someone demands to know how the Ten and Grand Council will keep them safe. Have no fear Garden City citizens. The Ten and the Grand Council have a Grand Plan. They will protect the residents of Garden City, even if it means the annihilation of the extremist Exilers. The crowd cheers “Thanks to the Ten” over and over again. If security in Garden City has ever been lax, it isn’t now. Brad wouldn’t create widespread panic if he didn’t have a plan to defeat any intruders. Doc Daryn was right when he warned my father not to underestimate the SCI.

  While joining in the chanting, I circle the crowd looking for beautiful strawberry blonde ringlets. I finally spot Kira and am dismayed to see Ethan by her side looking at her like a puppy in a pet shop window who wants her to take him home. Friend, my booty. Guys don’t have girls as friends. At least not hot girls like Kira. Why’s he not Cleaved to his dream girl again? Right, he doesn’t have to Cleave as he’s not under Garden City jurisdiction. His daddy made an exception until he could find Ethan the right girl. One with the right blood type. For a guy who told me he’d never be able to look at another girl again, he surely seems to be
in love with my girlfriend. I’m sure that was daddy’s plan by sending them away and then locking them up together. With that much time alone, some feelings were bound to crop up.

  I sneak up behind Kira and hug her from the back, slipping my watch back out of her pocket and onto my wrist.

  “I’ve been looking everywhere for you.” I unwrap my arms and slip between her and Ethan. I give her a juicy kiss for good measure.

  “Likewise,” she says. “We finally gave up and decided to stay in one place so you could find us.”

  “Thank goodness for that or we’d have probably kept missing each other.” I can’t tell if she’s buying it. In fact, since she got back, I don’t have a clue how she feels. No matter what she says, her face shows nothing except a smile.

  “Ethan’s in love with you,” I say to her as we walk back from the Festival.

  “You are way out of line. You have no idea what you are talking about. He’s in love with someone else. Not me.”

  “I see the way he looks at you. Don’t pretend like you can’t see it, too,” I snap at her. I hate that she affects me the way she does. Even my father can’t hurt me or make me angry like Kira can. “I think you understated your relationship with him.”

  “Are you accusing me of lying to you?” Her eyes and body language scream defensive.

  “No. Omitting.” I know I’m being a hypocritical jerk. It’s not like I told her Bailey kissed me. Since Bailey got Exiled, I didn’t see any real reason to bring it up. And I’m the one who escalated my relationship with Kira. The moment I saw her come back home with Ethan in tow, I knew I had to raise the bar and tell her I love her, or else I’d lose her. Bailey had been Exiled by that point, so I could give Kira my undivided attention.

  “Wow. I mean, wow. That’s so choice,” she says. “You ditch me for the entire Festival and, suddenly, I’m a lying, cheating whore when I spend a little time with a friend?” Now she’s pissed.